Corn Harvester with Tall Corn Attachment and Auger and Associated Methods

ABSTRACT

An example corn harvester and associated systems and methods are provided. The corn harvester includes a corn head including a plurality of dividers. Each divider includes a hood with a top surface, and first and second side surfaces, one of the first or second side surfaces including a recessed area formed therein. The corn harvester includes an auger mounted to the hood. The auger is configured to be powered to rotate about an auger central axis. The corn harvester includes a tall corn attachment mounted to the hood and configured to be positioned in a stored position or a working position. In the stored position, the tall corn attachment is received within the recessed area of the hood. In the working position, the tall corn attachment extends from the top surface of the hood and at least partially covers a radial section of the auger.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 15/249,334, filed Aug. 26, 2016, and herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Harvesters are used in the agricultural industry to harvest a variety ofcrops, including corn. Corn harvesters generally include a corn headwith dividers and collection mechanisms configured to collect corn fromthe field. For example, FIG. 1 shows a traditional corn harvester 10including a corn head 12 with a plurality of dividers 14. The cornharvester 10 can include a transverse auger 16 disposed behind thedividers 14. Attachments can be mounted to the divider to assist inguiding tall corn stalks into the collection mechanism. For corn stalksthat have fallen or are located near the ground, powered augers aremounted to the divider to assist in collection. For example, FIG. 2shows a traditional corn head 50 including a plurality of dividers 52with augers 54 mounted to the end dividers 52.

Mounting an attachment or a powered auger can be time-consuming due tothe necessity of bolting multiple components to the divider. Further,powered augers cannot be mounted to the divider simultaneously withmounting of the attachment, thereby necessitating a significant amountof labor to interchange the components when harvesting corn stalks ofdifferent heights and at different locations relative to the ground.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments are directed to corn harvesters including a tallcorn attachment and an auger simultaneously mounted to a divider of acorn head. The auger is mounted to the divider for harvesting fallen orlow corn stalks, while the tall corn attachment is rotatably mounted tothe divider. In particular, the tall corn attachment can be rotatedbetween a stored position (e.g., when the auger is being used) and aworking position (e.g., when the tall corn attachment is being used)without the necessity of interchanging and mounting various components.Thus, the tall corn attachment can be conveniently and efficientlypositioned between a working and non-working position depending on theneeds of the user.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplarycorn harvester is provided. The corn harvester includes a corn headincluding a plurality of dividers. Each divider includes a hood with atop surface, first and second side surfaces, a proximal end and a distalend. One of the first or second side surfaces includes a recessed areaformed therein. The corn harvester includes an auger mounted to thehood. The auger is configured to be powered to rotate about an augercentral axis. The corn harvester includes a tall corn attachment mountedto the hood and configured to be positioned in a stored position or aworking position. In the stored position, the tall corn attachment isreceived within the recessed area of the hood. In the working position,the tall corn attachment extends from the top surface of the hood and atleast partially covers a radial section of the auger. The tall cornattachment includes a latching mechanism for locking the tall cornattachment in the stored position or the working position.

The recessed area of the hood can be substantially complementary to theconfiguration of the tall corn attachment. The recessed area of the hoodincludes a planar side wall offset from a central longitudinal axis ofthe hood and extending between the proximal and distal ends of the hood.The recessed area further includes a front planar wall located near thedistal end of the hood. A distal end of the auger can be mounted to thefront planar wall of the recessed area of the hood and a proximal end ofthe auger can be mounted to the top surface of the hood.

In the working position, a pivot axis of the tall corn attachment can besubstantially aligned with the auger central axis and a bottom surfaceof the tall corn attachment can be disposed over the auger. In thestored position, the pivot axis of the tall corn attachment can besubstantially aligned with the auger central axis and a bottom surfaceof the tall corn attachment can be disposed below the auger. In someembodiments, the auger can be configured to automatically stop rotatingwhen the tall corn attachment is positioned in the working position.

The latching mechanism can include a pin (e.g., a spring-loaded pin or amanually actuated pin) extending from a proximal end of the tall cornattachment. The pin configured to be received in an aperture formed in amounting bracket secured to the top surface of the hood to define aproximal pivot point. The proximal pivot point being located along apivot axis of the tall corn attachment. In some embodiments, the tallcorn attachment can be detachably mounted to the hood.

In some embodiments, the auger can include a shaft extending along theauger central axis. The tall corn attachment can include a distalmounting flange extending from a bottom surface of the tall cornattachment and a proximal mounting flange extending from the bottomsurface of the tall corn attachment. The tall corn attachment can berotatably and non-detachably mounted to the shaft of the auger by thedistal and proximal mounting flanges such that the auger extends betweenthe distal and proximal mounting flanges.

In some embodiments the tall corn attachment can include a leading edgeextending between a proximal end and a distal end of the tall cornattachment, a base, and first and second side surfaces. The leading edgecan define a curved surface tapering from a first width at the distalend to a second width at the proximal end, the first width beingdimensioned greater than the second width. In some embodiments, each ofthe first and second side surfaces can taper outwardly from the leadingedge to the base. In some embodiments, each of the first and second sidesurfaces can include one or more indented louvers formed therein.

In some embodiments, the tall corn attachment can include a pivot axisextending parallel and offset from a bottom surface of the tall cornattachment. The tall corn attachment can include a proximal leading edgeportion and a distal leading edge portion connected by a rounded leadingedge top portion. The proximal leading edge portion and the distalleading edge portion can extend at angles relative to the pivot axis,the angle of the proximal leading edge portion being greater than theangle of the distal leading edge portion. In some embodiments, the tallcorn attachment can include a groove formed offset from and extendingparallel to the proximal leading edge. The groove being configured anddimensioned to receive at least a portion of a hand of a user.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplarycorn harvester is provided that can function without an auger. The cornharvester includes a corn head including a plurality of dividers. Eachdivider includes a hood with a top surface, first and second sidesurfaces, a proximal end and a distal end. One of the first or secondside surfaces includes a recessed area formed therein. The cornharvester includes a tall corn attachment mounted to the hood andconfigured to be positioned in a stored position or a working position.In the stored position, the tall corn attachment is received within therecessed area of the hood. In the working position, the tall cornattachment extends from the top surface of the hood. The tall cornattachment includes a latching mechanism for locking the tall cornattachment in the stored position or the working position.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplarycorn harvester divider is provided. The divider includes a hood with atop surface, first and second side surfaces, a proximal end and a distalend. One of the first or second side surfaces includes a recessed areaformed therein. The divider includes an auger mounted to the hood. Theauger can be configured to be powered to rotate about an auger centralaxis. The divider includes a tall corn attachment mounted to the hoodand configured to be positioned in a stored position or a workingposition.

In the stored position, the tall corn attachment is received orsubstantially received within the recessed area of the hood. In theworking position, the tall corn attachment extends from the top surfaceof the hood and at least partially covers a radial section of the auger.The tall corn attachment can include a latching mechanism for lockingthe tall corn attachment in the stored position or the working position.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplarycorn harvester divider is provided that can function without an auger.The divider includes a hood with a top surface, first and second sidesurfaces, a proximal end and a distal end. One of the first or secondside surfaces includes a recessed area formed therein. The dividerincludes a tall corn attachment mounted to the hood and configured to bepositioned in a stored position or a working position. In the storedposition, the tall corn attachment is received or substantially receivedwithin the recessed area of the hood. In the working position, the tallcorn attachment extends from the top surface of the hood. The tall cornattachment can include a latching mechanism for locking the tall cornattachment in the stored position or the working position.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplarymethod of operating a corn harvester is provided. The method includesproviding a corn head including a plurality of dividers. Each dividerincludes a hood with a top surface, first and second side surfaces, aproximal end and a distal end, one of the first or second side surfacesincluding a recessed area formed therein. The method includes mountingan auger to the hood. The auger can be configured to be powered torotate about an auger central axis. The method includes mounting a tallcorn attachment to the hood.

The method also includes positioning the tall corn attachment in astored position. In the stored position, the tall corn attachment isreceived within the recessed area of the hood. The method furtherincludes positioning the tall corn attachment in a working position. Inthe working position, the tall corn attachment extends from the topsurface of the hood and at least partially covers a radial section ofthe auger. The tall corn attachment can include a latching mechanism forlocking the tall corn attachment in the stored position or the workingposition.

Any combination and/or permutation of embodiments is envisioned. Otherobjects and features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Itis to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as anillustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist those of skill in the art in making and using the disclosedcorn harvesters and associated system and methods, reference is made tothe accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traditional corn harvester;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a traditional corn head of a corn harvester;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary divider of the present disclosureincluding an auger and a detachable tall corn attachment, the tall cornattachment being in a stored position;

FIG. 4 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 3including a detachable tall corn attachment in a stored position;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 3 including adetachable tall corn attachment in a stored position;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 3 including adetachable tall corn attachment in a working position;

FIG. 7 is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 3including a detachable tall corn attachment in a working position;

FIG. 8 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 3 including adetachable tall corn attachment in a working position;

FIG. 9 is a side view of an exemplary divider of the present disclosureincluding an auger and a non-detachable tall corn attachment, the tallcorn attachment being in a stored position;

FIG. 10 is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 9including a non-detachable tall corn attachment in a stored position;

FIG. 11 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 9 including anon-detachable tall corn attachment in a stored position;

FIG. 12 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 9including a non-detachable tall corn attachment in a working position;

FIG. 13 is a rear, perspective view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 9including a non-detachable tall corn attachment in a working position;

FIG. 14 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 9 including anon-detachable tall corn attachment in a working position;

FIG. 15 is a side view of an exemplary divider of the present disclosureincluding an auger and a non-detachable tall corn attachment, the tallcorn attachment being in a stored position;

FIG. 16 is a side view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 15 including anon-detachable tall corn attachment in a working position;

FIG. 17 is a left side view of an exemplary divider of the presentdisclosure including an auger and a detachable tall corn attachment, thetall corn attachment being in a working position;

FIG. 18 is a right side view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 17including a detachable tall corn attachment in a working position;

FIG. 19 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 17 including adetachable tall corn attachment in a working position, the divider beingmounted to a corn head;

FIG. 20 is a right side, exploded view of an exemplary detachable tallcorn attachment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a top view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 17 including anauger and a detachable tall corn attachment in a disassembledarrangement;

FIG. 22 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 17 including anauger and a detachable tall corn attachment in a disassembledarrangement;

FIG. 23 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 17 including anauger and a detachable tall corn attachment in a disassembledarrangement;

FIG. 24 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 17 including anauger and a detachable tall corn attachment in an assembled arrangement;

FIG. 25 is a detailed, rear view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 17including a latching mechanism for mounting a detachable tall cornattachment to the divider;

FIG. 26 is a front view of an exemplary divider of the presentdisclosure including an auger and a detachable tall corn attachment, thetall corn attachment being in a stored position;

FIG. 27 is a front view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 26 including adetachable tall corn attachment in a working position;

FIG. 28 is a detailed view of an exemplary latching mechanism of thedivider of FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is a detailed view of an exemplary latching mechanism of thedivider of FIG. 26; and

FIG. 30 is a side view of an exemplary divider of FIG. 26 including adetachable tall corn attachment in a working position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that the relative terminology used herein, suchas “front”, “rear”, “left”, “top”, “bottom”, “vertical”, “horizontal”,“up” and “down” is solely for the purposes of clarity and designationand is not intended to limit embodiments to a particular position and/ororientation. Accordingly, such relative terminology should not beconstrued to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, itshould be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is notlimited to embodiments having specific dimensions. Thus, any dimensionsprovided herein are merely for an exemplary purpose and are not intendedto limit the invention to embodiments having particular dimensions.

FIGS. 3-8 show perspective, side and front views of an exemplary divider100 including an auger 102 and a detachable tall corn attachment 104. Inparticular, FIGS. 3-8 show the tall corn attachment 104 positioned in astored position and a working position. It should be understood that theexemplary divider 100 can be incorporated into a traditional corn head(e.g., the corn head 10 shown in FIG. 1) to improve the corn harvestingprocess. In addition, the divider 100 can be incorporated into anytraditional corn heads, such as corn heads that include a fender or hoodextension for guiding ears of corn that can bounce over the divider, orcorn heads that include a fender or hood configured to tilt upwards toprovide access to the collection mechanism to repair blockages in thecollection mechanism, such as the corn heads disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,775,076 and 7,681,387, which are incorporated herein by reference.

The divider 100 generally includes a hood 106 that includes a distal topsurface 108, a first side surface 110, a second side surface 112, aproximal end 114, a distal end 116, and a proximal top surface 118. Thedistal top surface 108 can define a rounded or curved configuration,while the proximal top surface 118 can define a substantially flat orplanar configuration. In some embodiments, the first side surface 110can be angled relative to a vertical plane, while the second sidesurface 112 can be substantially parallel to a vertical plane. The wallsor surfaces of the divider 100 can define one or more hollow cavities120 therebetween (e.g., on an inner, bottom surface) that includesfeatures for mounting the divider 100 on the corn head.

The hood 106 includes a recessed area 122 formed in one of the first orsecond side surfaces 110, 112 (e.g., the first side surface 110 as shownin FIGS. 3-8). In particular, the recessed area 122 can extend betweenthe distal and proximal top surfaces 108, 118. The configuration anddimensions of the recessed area 122 can be such that the recessed area122 is substantially complementary to the tall corn attachment 104 andcan at least partially receive the tall corn attachment 104 in thestored position. The recessed area 122 includes a planar inner side wall124 that is offset from a central longitudinal axis A₁ (e.g., therecessed area 122 is not symmetrically formed in the hood 106). Theplanar inner side wall 124 can define a triangular configurationtapering from the proximal end 114 to the distal end 116.

The recessed area 122 further includes an angled lower surface 126extending from the planar inner side wall 124, a rear planar wall 128and a front planar wall 130. The rear planar wall 128, the lower surface126 and the front planar wall 130 form a substantially U-shaped cavitywith the rear planar wall 128 and the front planar wall 130 extendingoutwardly from the lower surface 126. The rear planar wall 128transitions into the proximal top surface 118. In some embodiments, thelower surface 126 can include one or more louvers 132 formed therein.The louvers 132 are formed as indentations within the lower surface 126,and assist in guiding loose corn kernels into the collection mechanismof the harvester as the harvester moves along a field.

The auger 102 generally includes a central shaft 136 that tapers from aproximal end 138 of the auger 102 to a distal end 140 of the auger 102,the diameter of the central shaft 136 being dimensioned greater at theproximal end 138 than the distal end 140. The auger 102 includes ahelical blade 142 radially extending from the central shaft 136. Theauger 102 further includes a powering mechanism 144 (e.g., electric,hydraulic, or the like) configured to power the auger 102 to rotateabout an auger central axis A₂. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the augercentral axis A₂ can be offset from and substantially parallel to thecentral longitudinal axis A₁ of the hood 106 such that the auger 102 isnot centrally positioned on the hood 106. In some embodiments, the augercentral axis A₂ can be angled in the direction of the centrallongitudinal axis A₁. The distal end 140 of the auger 102 can be mountedto the front planar wall 130 of the recessed area 122, and the proximalend 138 of the auger 102 can be mounted to the proximal top surface 118of the hood 106.

The tall corn attachment 104 generally includes a leading edge 146defining a top, curved edge of the tall corn attachment 104. The leadingedge 146 extends between a proximal end 148 and a distal end 150 of thetall corn attachment 104. The tall corn attachment 104 includes firstand second side surfaces 152, 154 and a base 156 defining the bottom ofthe tall corn attachment 104. The leading edge 146 defines a curvedsurface that tapers from a first width 158 at the distal end 150 to asecond width 160 at the proximal end 148.

In some embodiments, the first width 158 can be dimensioned greater thanthe second width 160. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,the second width 160 can be dimensioned greater than the first width158. In some embodiments, the distal end 150 of the tall corn attachment104 (including the leading edge 146 and the first and second sidesurfaces 152, 154) can be dimensioned wider than the proximal end 148 ofthe tall corn attachment 104, the overall width tapering or narrowing inthe direction of the proximal end 148. The wider configuration at thedistal end 150 (e.g., a front end) of the tall corn attachment 104provides a larger and stronger surface for engagement and taking down oflarge corn stalks.

The first and second side surfaces 152, 154 can taper outwardly from theleading edge 146 to the base 156 such that the base 156 defines agreater width than the leading edge 146. In some embodiments, theleading edge 146, first and second side surfaces 152, 154 and the base156 can define a hollow inner chamber therebetween and the taperedconfiguration of the first and second side surfaces 152, 154 providesthe structural stability for guiding corn stalks. In some embodiments,the first and second side surfaces 152, 154 can include louvers 162, 164formed therein. The louvers 162, 164 can be formed as recessed sectionsin the first and second side surfaces 152, 154. Similar to the louvers132, the louvers 162, 164 can be angled or curved in the direction ofthe proximal end 114 and assist in directing loose corn kernels into thecollection mechanism of the harvester.

The tall corn attachment 104 includes a pivot axis expendingsubstantially parallel to and offset from the bottom surface or base156. The tall corn attachment 104 can pivot along the pivot axis betweenthe stored position shown in FIGS. 3-5 and the working position shown inFIGS. 6-8. In particular, the distal end 150 of the tall corn attachment104 can be mounted to the front planar wall 130 of the hood 106 via alatching mechanism (e.g., a spring-loaded pin) such that the tall cornattachment 104 can be interlocked with the front planar wall 130 when inthe working position, and disengaged from the front planar wall 130 whenin the stored position. Specifically, the tall corn attachment 104 canbe disengaged from the front planar wall 130 and detached from the hood106 prior to placing the tall corn attachment 102 in the storedposition. In the stored position, the tall corn attachment 104 can bereceived within the recessed area 122 of the hood 106. In the workingposition, the tall corn attachment 104 can extend from the top surfaceof the hood 106 to at least partially cover a radial section of theauger 102. In some embodiments, the auger 102 can be configured toautomatically stop rotating when the tall corn attachment 104 ispositioned in the working position. In some embodiments, the auger 102can continue to rotate when the tall corn attachment 104 is positionedin the working position.

The leading edge 146 can be separated into a proximal leading edgeportion 166, a distal leading edge portion 168, and a rounded, centralleading edge top portion 170. The leading edge top portion 170 connectsthe proximal and distal leading edge portions 166, 168. The proximal anddistal leading edge portions 166, 168 extend at angles relative to thepivot axis and the base 156. The angle of the proximal leading edgeportion 166 can be greater than the angle of the distal leading edgeportion 168, thereby defining a substantially triangular configurationwith a rounded top portion 170.

In some embodiments, the tall corn attachment 104 can include a slot172, 174 formed offset from and extending substantially parallel to theproximal leading edge portion 166. The slot 172, 174 can extend betweenthe first and second side surfaces 152, 154, and can be configured anddimensioned to receive at least a portion of a hand of a user formanipulating the tall corn attachment 104 between the stored positionand the working position. In some embodiments, the slot 172, 174 can beformed as a groove that partially extends into the respective first andsecond side surfaces 152, 154.

FIGS. 9-14 show side, perspective and front views of an alternativeembodiment of a divider 200 according to the present disclosure. Thedivider 200 can be substantially similar in structure and function tothe divider 100, except for the distinctions noted herein. Therefore,like reference numbers are used to represent like structures. Inparticular, rather than including a detachable tall corn attachment 104,the divider 200 includes a non-detachable tall corn attachment 204configured to be mounted around the shaft 136 of the auger 202 andpositionable between a stored position shown in FIGS. 9-11 and a workingposition shown in FIGS. 12-14. It is noted that the auger central axisA₂ and the pivot axis of the tall corn attachment 204 are substantiallythe same.

The divider 200 includes an L-shaped bracket 206 mounted to the proximaltop surface 118 of the hood 106. The bracket 206 includes an aperturethat receives therethrough the shaft 136 of the auger 202. The auger 202includes a radial stop member 208 spaced from the mounting of thebracket 206 and adjacent to the helical blade 142. The distal end 140 ofthe auger 202 includes a radially narrowed portion 210 for mounting ofthe tall corn attachment 204. Thus, the distal end 140 of the auger 202can be mounted into an aperture formed in the front planar wall 130 andthe proximal end 138 of the auger 202 can be mounted to the proximal topsurface 118 of the hood 106 via the bracket 206.

Rather than including a substantially linear bottom surface or base 156,the tall corn attachment 204 includes proximal and distal mountingflanges 212, 214 extending from the base 156. The mounting flanges 212,214 can extend substantially perpendicularly from the base 156 andinclude an aperture configured and dimensioned to receive therethroughthe shaft 136 of the auger 202. In particular, the proximal mountingflange 212 includes an aperture dimensioned to fit around the proximalend 138 of the shaft 136 disposed between the bracket 206 and the stopmember 208, and the distal mounting flange 214 includes an aperturedimensioned to fit around the narrowed portion 210 of the distal end 140of the shaft 136. With the tall corn attachment 204 mounted to the shaft136, the helical blade 142 is disposed between the proximal and distalmounting flanges 212, 214.

A latching mechanism (e.g., a spring-loaded pin, a manually actuatedpin, or the like) can be used to engage the proximal and distal mountingflanges 212, 214 with the bracket 206 and the front planar wall 130,respectively, in the working and stored position of the tall cornattachment 204. The tall corn attachment 204 can therefore be rotatedinto the working position to cover at least a radial portion of theauger 202 while allowing the auger 202 to continue operating orrotating. In some embodiments, upon placement of the tall cornattachment 204 in the working position, the auger 202 can automaticallystop operating or rotating.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an alternative embodiment of an exemplary divider300 of the present disclosure. The divider 300 can be substantiallysimilar in structure and function to the divider 100, 200, except forthe distinctions noted herein. Therefore, like reference numbers areused to represent like structures. In particular, rather than includinglouvers 162, 164 formed in the first and second side surfaces 152, 154of the tall corn attachment 204, the first and second side surfaces 152,154 can define substantially planar surfaces. In addition, rather thanincluding a slot 172, 174 extending through the entire tall cornattachment 204, a groove 302 can be formed in one or both of the firstand second side surfaces 152, 154 that only partially extends into thesurface of the tall corn attachment 204.

FIGS. 17-25 show an alternative embodiment of an exemplary divider 400of the present disclosure. The divider 400 can be substantially similarin structure and function to the divider 100, 200, 300 except for thedistinctions noted herein. Therefore, like reference numbers are used torepresent like structures. As shown in FIG. 19, the divider 400 can beoperatively mounted to a corn head 404 including a transverse auger 406and one or more collection mechanisms 408.

The leading edge 146 of the tall corn attachment 402 can be formed as aunitary structure with the first and second side walls 410, 412 or canbe formed as a separate structure that is mounted over the top edge ofthe first and second side walls 410, 412. The first and second sidewalls 410, 412 can define smooth, curving surfaces that graduallytransition from a narrow width at the leading edge 146 to a wide base414. The distal width 158 of the leading edge 146 is dimensioned greaterthan the proximal width 160 and tapers or narrows in the direction ofthe proximal end 148. The wide leading edge 146 at the distal end 150 ofthe tall corn attachment 402 and the wide base 414 (relative to theleading edge 146) provides structural strength to the tall cornattachment 402 for guiding corn stalks engaged during harvesting. Thebottom edges of the first and second side walls 410, 412 at the base 414can be separated from each other to define an opening leading to ahollow interior 418. When assembled with the hood 106, a centrallongitudinal axis of the tall corn attachment 402 can be substantiallyaligned with the central longitudinal axis of the hood 106.

The tall corn attachment 402 includes a distal mounting bracket 420 anda proximal mounting bracket 422. The distal mounting bracket 420 can bebolted to the distal end 150 of the tall corn attachment 402, and theproximal mounting bracket 422 can be bolted to the proximal end 148 ofthe tall corn attachment 402 (e.g., a bottom edge of the proximal end148). The distal mounting bracket 420 includes a substantially U-shapedconfiguration including first and second side walls 424, 426 connectedat a rounded top wall 428. The first and second side walls 424, 426include one or more apertures 430, 432 formed therein, and the top wall428 includes one or more apertures 434, each aperture 430, 432, 434configured for passage of a fastener for securing the distal mountingbracket 420 to the tall corn attachment 402. The distal mounting bracket420 includes a front wall 436 with a vertical slot 438 extending fromthe bottom surface. The vertical slot 438 can be configured anddimensioned to fit over the narrowed portion 210 of the shaft 136 of theauger 102 when the tall corn attachment 402 is assembled with the hood106.

The proximal mounting bracket 422 defines a substantially U-shapedconfiguration with a central portion 440 and side walls 442, 444. Theside walls 442, 444 can define a triangular or tapering configuration.Each of the side walls 442, 444 includes an aperture 446, 448 formedtherein for passage of a pin 450 (e.g., a spring-loaded pin, a manuallyactuated pin, or the like). The proximal mounting bracket 422 can besecured to the proximal end 148 of the tall corn attachment 402, and thepin 450 can detachably interlock the proximal mounting bracket 422 to acomplementary bracket 452 disposed on the hood 106. The tall cornattachment 402 can thereby be detachably mounted to the hood 106 tocover the entire top radial portion of the auger 102. Upon removal ofthe pin 450 from the proximal mounting bracket 422, the tall cornattachment 402 can be pivoted in an upward direction along the distalmounting bracket 420, and the distal mounting bracket 420 can bedisengaged from the shaft 136 to detach the tall corn attachment 402from the hood 106.

FIGS. 26-30 show front, detailed and side views of an alternativeembodiment of an exemplary divider 500 of the present disclosure. Thedivider 500 can be substantially similar in structure and function tothe divider 100, 200, 300, 400, except for the distinctions notedherein. Therefore, like reference numbers are used to represent likestructures. In particular, the divider 500 includes a tall cornattachment 502 with first and second side walls 504, 506 that aresubstantially planar and extend define a substantially uniform width 508from the leading edge 146 to the base 156.

In addition, the proximal and distal ends 148, 150 of the tall cornattachment 502 include a latching mechanism for detachably securing thetall corn attachment 502 to a proximal mounting bracket 510 and thefront planar wall 130. The front planar wall 130 includes first andsecond apertures 512, 514 formed therein. The distal end 150 of the tallcorn attachment includes a front wall 516 including two pins 518, 520protruding therefrom. During assembly, the pins 518, 520 can beintroduced into the apertures 512, 514 to create two pivot points thatmaintain the tall corn attachment 502 in the working position.

The proximal mounting bracket 510 includes two apertures 522, 524. Theproximal end 148 includes a latching mechanism 526 including a firstlongitudinal passage 528 housing a first pin 530 extending therefrom. Itshould be understood that the latching mechanism 526 can be used in thealternative embodiments of the tall corn attachment described herein.The pin 530 protrudes from the rear surface 532 of the tall cornattachment 502. The latching mechanism 526 further includes a secondlongitudinal passage 534 formed in the rear surface 532 and extendingparallel to the first longitudinal passage 528. The second longitudinalpassage 534 communicates with a lateral passage 536 (e.g., an elongatedslot) extending through the second side surface 506 to form asubstantially right angle. The second longitudinal passage 534 includesa first portion 538 and a second portion 540. The first portion 538defines a diameter dimensioned smaller than the second portion 540, andconnects with the lateral passage 536.

The second longitudinal passage 534 receives therein an elongated pin542 and a spring 544. The spring 544 is disposed within the secondportion 540 of the second longitudinal passage 534 and maintains the pin542 biased partially out of the rear surface 532 (e.g., the proximal end546 extends out of the rear surface 532). The distal end 548 of the pin542 is coupled to a lateral pin 550 that extends out of the lateralpassage 536. The lateral pin 550 can travel within the elongated lateralpassage 536 while simultaneously biasing the spring 544. In particular,sliding the lateral pin 550 in the distal direction biases the spring544 to retract the proximal end 546 of the pin 542 into the secondlongitudinal passage 534. Releasing the lateral pin 550 allows thebiasing force of the spring 544 to extend the proximal end 546 of thepin 542 out of the second longitudinal passage 534.

During assembly, after the pins 518, 520 at the distal end 150 have beenengaged with the apertures 512, 514 of the front planar wall 130, thepin 530 can be inserted into the aperture 524 on the mounting bracket510. Next, the spring-loaded pin 542 can be retracted, aligned with theaperture 522 of the mounting bracket 510, and released to engage theaperture 522. Thus, the tall corn attachment 502 can be detachablysecured in the working position. To detach to tall corn attachment 502from the hood 106, the pin 542 can be retracted into the secondlongitudinal passage 534, the proximal end 148 can be disengaged fromthe mounting bracket 510, and the distal end 150 can be disengaged fromthe front planar wall 130. The tall corn attachment 502 can further bereceived within the recessed area 122 in the stored position.

While exemplary embodiments have been described herein, it is expresslynoted that these embodiments should not be construed as limiting, butrather that additions and modifications to what is expressly describedherein also are included within the scope of the present disclosure.Moreover, it is to be understood that the features of the variousembodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist invarious combinations and permutations, even if such combinations orpermutations are not made express herein, without departing from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure.

1. A corn harvester, comprising: a corn head including a plurality ofdividers, each divider including a hood with a top surface, first andsecond side surfaces, a proximal end and a distal end, one of the firstor second side surfaces including a recessed area formed therein; anauger mounted to the hood, the auger configured to be powered to rotateabout an auger central axis; and a tall corn attachment mounted to thehood and rotatable about the auger central axis to be positioned in astored position or a working position, wherein in the stored positionthe tall corn attachment is received within the recessed area of thehood, and wherein in the working position the tall corn attachmentextends from the top surface of the hood and at least partially covers aradial section of the auger; wherein the tall corn attachment includes alatching mechanism for locking the tall corn attachment in the storedposition or the working position.
 2. The corn harvester of claim 1,wherein the recessed area of the hood is complementary to theconfiguration of the tall corn attachment.
 3. The corn harvester ofclaim 1, wherein the recessed area of the hood includes a planar sidewall offset from a central longitudinal axis of the hood and extendingbetween the proximal and distal ends of the hood, and a front planarwall located near the distal end of the hood.
 4. The corn harvester ofclaim 3, wherein a distal end of the auger is mounted to the frontplanar wall of the recessed area of the hood and a proximal end of theauger is mounted to the top surface of the hood.
 5. The corn harvesterof claim 1, wherein in the working position, a pivot axis of the tallcorn attachment is aligned with the auger central axis and a bottomsurface of the tall corn attachment is disposed over the auger and thetall corn attachment lies on a plane which is substantially parallel tothe auger central axis.
 6. The corn harvester of claim 5, wherein in thestored position, a bottom surface of the tall corn attachment isdisposed below the auger and the tall corn attachment lies on a planewhich is substantially parallel to the auger central axis.
 7. The cornharvester of claim 1, wherein the auger comprises a powering mechanismconfigured to automatically stop rotating when the tall corn attachmentis positioned in the working position.
 8. The corn harvester of claim 1,wherein the latching mechanism comprises a pin extending from a proximalend of the tall corn attachment, the pin configured to be received in anaperture formed in a mounting bracket secured to the top surface of thehood to define a proximal pivot point, the proximal pivot point beinglocated along a pivot axis of the tall corn attachment.
 9. The cornharvester of claim 1, wherein the tall corn attachment is detachablymounted to the hood.
 10. The corn harvester of claim 1, wherein theauger comprises a shaft extending along the auger central axis, and thetall corn attachment comprises a distal mounting flange extending from abottom surface of the tall corn attachment and a proximal mountingflange extending from the bottom surface of the tall corn attachment.11. The corn harvester of claim 10, wherein the tall corn attachment isrotatably and non-detachably mounted to the shaft of the auger by thedistal and proximal mounting flanges such that the auger extends betweenthe distal and proximal mounting flanges.
 12. The corn harvester ofclaim 1, wherein the tall corn attachment includes a leading edgeextending between a proximal end and a distal end of the tall cornattachment, a base, and first and second side surfaces.
 13. The cornharvester of claim 12, wherein the leading edge defines a curved surfacetapering from a first width at the distal end to a second width at theproximal end, the first width being dimensioned greater than the secondwidth.
 14. The corn harvester of claim 12, wherein each of the first andsecond side surfaces tapers outwardly from the leading edge to the base.15. The corn harvester of claim 12, wherein each of the first and secondside surfaces includes one or more indented louvers formed therein. 16.The corn harvester of claim 1, wherein the tall corn attachment includesa pivot axis extending parallel and offset from a bottom surface of thetall corn attachment, the tall corn attachment further comprising aproximal leading edge portion and a distal leading edge portionconnected by a rounded leading edge top portion.
 17. The corn harvesterof claim 16, wherein the proximal leading edge portion and the distalleading edge portion extend at angles relative to the pivot axis, theangle of the proximal leading edge portion being greater than the angleof the distal leading edge portion.
 18. The corn harvester of claim 16,wherein the tall corn attachment includes a groove formed offset fromand extending parallel to the proximal leading edge, the groove beingconfigured and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a hand of auser.
 19. A corn harvester divider, comprising: a hood with a topsurface, first and second side surfaces, a proximal end and a distalend, one of the first or second side surfaces including a recessed areaformed therein; an auger mounted to the hood, the auger configured to bepowered to rotate about an auger central axis; and a tall cornattachment mounted to the hood and rotatable about the auger centralaxis to be positioned in a stored position or a working position,wherein in the stored position the tall corn attachment is receivedwithin the recessed area of the hood, and wherein in the workingposition the tall corn attachment extends from the top surface of thehood and at least partially covers a radial section of the auger;wherein the tall corn attachment includes a latching mechanism forlocking the tall corn attachment in the stored position or the workingposition.
 20. A method of operating a corn harvester, comprising:providing a corn head including a plurality of dividers, each dividerincluding a hood with a top surface, first and second side surfaces, aproximal end and a distal end, one of the first or second side surfacesincluding a recessed area formed therein; mounting an auger to the hood,the auger configured to be powered to rotate about an auger centralaxis; mounting a tall corn attachment to the hood; rotating the tallcorn attachment about the auger central axis to position positioning thetall corn attachment in a stored position, wherein in the storedposition the tall corn attachment is received within the recessed areaof the hood; and rotating the tall corn attachment about the augercentral axis to position positioning the tall corn attachment in aworking position, wherein in the working position the tall cornattachment extends from the top surface of the hood and at leastpartially covers a radial section of the auger; wherein the tall cornattachment includes a latching mechanism for locking the tall cornattachment in the stored position or the working position.